Security enhancement system, method and device for instrument-based transactions

Abstract

A security enhancement system, method and device are disclosed herein. The system, method and device, in an embodiment, are operable to establish an account for a user to receive a request associated with a financial instrument. The system, method and device are operable to apply one or more approval conditions before providing an approval to a funding source.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a data storage device configured to be operatively coupled to a network, the data storage device storing a plurality of computer-readable instructions which are executable by at least one processor to:
 establish a user account associated with a user; 
 receive a request from a first network access device operatively coupled to the network, wherein the request relates to a financial instrument possessed by the user; 
 require submission of a first image representing a front of the financial instrument, the front image displaying a monetary amount; 
 require submission of a second image representing a back of the financial instrument, the back image displaying an indorsement by the user; 
 require submission of a third image representing biometric information related to the user; 
 receive data associated with the first, second and third images; 
 generate a fourth image comprising either one of: (a) the third image and the second image; or (b) the third image and the first image; 
 enable the request and the fourth image to be accessed by a device, wherein the device comprises either one of: (a) the at least one processor; or (b) a second network access device operatively coupled to the network; 
 receive a response from the device; and 
 depending upon the response, provide an approval notice to a fund source. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first network access device comprises a mobile communication device operated by the user; and   the second network access device comprises a computer operated by a financial service provider; and   the fund source comprises a financial database of a bank.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the monetary amount comprises a gross amount;   the data storage device stores a plurality of computer-readable instructions which are executable by the at least one processor to operatively couple the user account to at least one financial account owned by the user, wherein the fund source is operable to transfer a net amount to the at least one financial account based at least in part on the approval notice; and   the net amount is less than the gross amount.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the user account is associated with a payment card issued to the user. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the indorsement comprises a signature of the user. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the third image is selected from the group consisting of a photograph of the user, a photograph of a face of the user, an image of a biometric of the user, and a video displaying an action of the user. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fund source comprises a financial system, the financial system comprising: (a) a database of a financial entity; and (b) a data processor of the financial entity which is operatively coupled to the database. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the fourth image comprises the third image and the second image; and   the step of generating the fourth image comprises merging together the third and second images.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first, second, third and fourth images comprises a representation of a structural alteration of a physical form of the financial instrument, wherein the representation represents at least one opening in the physical form of the financial instrument, the at least one opening being selected from the group consisting of: (a) a space between a plurality of torn edges of the physical form of the financial instrument; and (b) a hole extending through the physical form of the financial instrument. 
     
     
         10 . A system comprising:
 a data storage device configured to be operatively coupled to a network, the data storage device storing a plurality of computer-readable instructions which are executable by at least one processor to:
 establish a user account associated with a user; 
 operatively couple the user account to a financial account of the user in response to a first input from a first network access device which is operatively coupled to the network; 
 receive a request from the first network access device, wherein the request is associated with a financial instrument, the financial instrument comprising a front and a back, the front showing a gross amount and an identity of the user; 
 receive a front image which represents the front, wherein the front image is generated by the first network access device; 
 receive a back image which represents the back, wherein the back image is generated by the first network access device, wherein the back image is generated by the first network access device; 
 receive a biometric image which represents a physical characteristic of the user, wherein the biometric image is generated by the first network access device; 
 generate a collective image comprising the back image and the biometric image; 
 enable a second network access device to access the front and collective images, wherein the second network access device is operatively coupled to the network; 
 receive a response from the second network access device, wherein the response comprises a decline of the request or an approval of the request; 
 if the decline is received, provide a decline notice to the first network access device; and 
 if the approval is received, provide an approval notice to a fund source, wherein the fund source is operable to transfer a net amount to the financial account, wherein the net amount is based, at least in part, on the gross amount. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the data storage device stores a plurality of computer-readable instructions which are executable by the at least one processor to:
 (a) receive back image data corresponding to the back image, the back image data comprising back image data code in object form;   (b) receive biometric data corresponding to the biometric image, the biometric data comprising biometric data code in object form; and   (c) merging the object form of the back image data code with the object form of the biometric data code to generate the collective image.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the data storage device stores a plurality of computer-readable instructions which are executable by the at least one processor to apply an approval condition which requires the back image to exclude any indorsement. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the approval condition comprises a first approval condition;   the data storage device stores a plurality of computer-readable instructions which are executable by the at least one processor to apply a second approval condition after the first approval condition has been satisfied;   the second approval condition requires a supplemental submission of the back image; and   the back image in the supplemental submission comprises an indorsement.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the data storage device stores a plurality of computer-readable instructions which are executable by the at least one processor to apply an approval condition which requires the first network access device to transmit a void image representing the front or the back of the financial instrument. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the void image comprises a representation of a structural alteration of a physical form of the financial instrument, wherein the structural alteration defines at least one opening in the physical form, the at least one opening being selected from the group consisting of: (a) a space between a plurality of torn edges of the physical form; and (b) a hole extending through the physical form. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first network access device comprises a mobile communication device operated by the user; and   the second network access device comprises a computer operated by a financial service provider; and   the fund source comprises a financial database of a bank.   
     
     
         17 . A method of securing instrument-based transactions, the method comprising:
 operating at least one processor which is operatively coupled to a data network, wherein the at least one processor is operable to control a system;   enabling a user to access the system using a first network access device;   operating the at least one processor to establish a user account for the user;   operating the at least one processor to operatively couple the user account to a financial account controlled by the user;   operating the at least one processor to receive a request from the first network access device to credit the financial account based on a financial instrument possessed by the user, wherein the financial instrument has a physical form;   operating the at least one processor to send a first notice displayable by the first network access device, wherein the first notice is related to a first requirement requiring the first network access device to send instrument data to the at least one processor, wherein the instrument data comprises:
 a front image of a front of the financial instrument, wherein the front image displays an identity of the user and an amount payable; 
 a back image of a back of the financial instrument, wherein the back image displays an indorsement by the user; and 
 a biometric image derived from a human body of the user; 
   operating the at least one processor to enable a second network access device to access the instrument data;   operating the at least one processor to receive a first evaluation result from the second network access device, wherein the first evaluation result is based on a first evaluation of the instrument data;   depending upon the first evaluation result, operating the at least one processor to provide an approval notice displayable by the first network access device;   operating the at least one processor to provide a second notice to the first network access device, wherein the second notice relates to a second requirement, wherein the second requirement requires the first network access device to send voiding evidence to the at least one processor, wherein the voiding evidence comprises an image of a void indicator which is visible on at least one of the front and back sides of the physical form of the financial instrument;   operating the at least one processor to enable the second network access device to access the voiding evidence;   operating the at least one processor to receive a second evaluation result, wherein the second evaluation result is based on a second evaluation of the voiding evidence; and   depending upon the second evaluation, operating the at least one processor to provide an approval notice to a fund source.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising:
 operatively coupling the at least one processor to at least one data storage device; and   storing a plurality computer-readable instructions in the at least one data storage device,   wherein the first and second evaluations are performed by at least one financial service provider,   wherein the fund source comprises a bank, and   wherein the bank credits the financial account with a monetary amount.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second requirement comprises requiring that the void indicator comprise a representation of a structural alteration of the physical form of the financial instrument, wherein the representation defines at least one opening in the physical form, the at least one opening being selected from the group consisting of: (a) a space between a plurality of torn edges of the physical form; and (b) a hole extending through the physical form. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the second requirement is not reached if the first requirement is not satisfied.